Stapling machine



March 27, 1962 A. R. JOHNSON STAPLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 28, 1959 INVENTOR HN 5 0 N A RDEN R, J0

Rlow

ATTORNEY March 1962 A. R. JOHNSON ,026,519

' STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ARDEN R JOHNSON ATTONEY March 27, 1962 A. R. JOHNSON 3,026,519

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1959 3'Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,026,519 STAPLING MACHINE Arden R. Johnson, 3920 146th Place 5., Alderwood Manor, Wash. Filed Sept. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 842,648 1 Claim. (Cl. 1-3) This invention relates to improvements in stapling machines and mechanisms. More particularly, it relates to a novel mechanism for the high speed stapling of panels of plywood, hardboard, fibre board or the like, to frames of wood or other suitable materials to provide such frame and panel assemblies for use in wall construction; the present use of such stapling mechanisms being in the production line manufacture of prefabricated or factory built units to be used for wall construction in residences, stores and the like.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a high speed stapling mechanism in conjunction with a conveyor whereby assembled frames with panels placed thereon are moved to the stapling station, and horizontally positioned beneath one or more automatic stapling heads that are mounted for travel along a beam or rail that extends across the conveyor, from end to end 'of the frame and which stapling heads as advanced along the beam or ra l are caused to be intermittently pressed against the panel and actuated to drive the securing staples thereinto; this stapling operation being effected by contact of control switches carried on the stapling heads with stud-like switch actuators that are mounted at predeterminedintervals of spacing in a bar that extends along the panel spanning beam; the stapling heads, in this instance being powered by air under pressure that is delivered thereto through solenoid valves controlled by said switches.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for readily making vertical adjustment of the panel spanning beam, which mounts the stapler heads, relative to the positioned panels in order to make proper adjustments for stapler operations with wall units of different thickness.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a mechanism of the above disclosed character wherein advancement of the stapler heads is manually controlled while stapler operation is powered by compressed air under automatic control.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention reside in the details of construction of its parts; in their assembly or combination and in the mode of operation and control of the mechanism, as will hereinafter.

be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is the front elevation of the present stapling mechanism as applied transversely across a conveyor, here shown in vertical cross-section, and on which a frame and panel have been disposed for the securement of the panel to the frame by a stapling operation by the present mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the transversely directed beam with stapling heads and their control means as mounted for travel therealong.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section, taken on line 33 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one type of stapling head with its air and electric controls; the parts being here shown in separated relationship for explanatory purposes.

FIG. 5 is a similar schematic arrangement of parts,

"ice

showing a stapling head and controls of an alternative type and arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a isometric showing of an end portion of the supporting frame structure of the stapling mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a fragmental portion of the stapler head mounting cross-beam and one of the head moving chain belts as applied thereto.

FIG. 8 is a detail, in plan view, of the chain belt connecting gearing located medially of the ends of the crossbeam.

FIG. 9 is a detail in plan view, of the mounting means for the manually operated chain belt adjusting wheel.

FIG. 10 is an elevation of a stapler head and its controls, as mounted on the cross-beam and as seen from the side thereof that is opposite that shown in FIG. 1.

It will here be explained that the wooden frames presently being used in the present units and to which facing panels of plywood are being stapled are of rectangular form and made of 2" x 4" material. Each frame comprises four studs of the same length, coextensive and in parallel relationship, in equal spacing and joined across their opposite ends by bottom and top plates nailed thereto. All frames have 4' x 8 panels of plywood or the like assembled therewith and first merely tacked thereto to hold them in proper relationship as they are moved on the conveyor to the stapling station.

The conveyor, which is here shown to be employed, is one of roller type having a width of approximately nine feet and on which the assembled frames and panels are horizontally and transversely disposed. Any suitable means may be employed with the conveyor to stop the advancing frames or units and to position them at the stapling station in proper transverse alignment for receiving the first row of staples. This, preferably, would be driven along the forward edge of the panel. Then, with this edge of the panel secured, the frame is advanced to locate the second stud in alignment with and directly beneath the path of travel of the stapling heads and the operation of stapling is repeated. This frame positioning movement is repeated for the stapling of the panel to all the studs of the frame.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the conveyor is designated I in its entirety by reference character C. The wooden frame is designated by reference character F and the plywood panel to be stapled thereto is designated by reference character P. It also has been shown in FIG. 1 that the stapling mechanism is disposed transversely of the conveyor and horizontally above the frame F and panel P as disposed in stapling position on the conveyor.

Referring more in detail to the drawings: The stapling mechanism now being used in conjunction with the conveyor comprises a straight, rigid beam 10 that is supported at its opposite ends, at a predetermined distance horizontally above the conveyor, by a pair of vertical posts or standards 12-12 of equal height fixed to the floor at Dpposite sides of the conveyor; the beam preferably being of square metal tubing welded or otherwise fixed at its ends to the inside faces of metal sleeves 14 that are slidably fitted to the standards for vertical adjustment thereon. Extending between the standards and fixed at its ends to brackets 18 that are carried on the inside faces of the sleeves 14-14 is a rigid metal bar 20 in which downwardly projecting switch actuating studs 21 are fixed, at predetermined intervals of spacing, for a purpose presently to be explained. Fixed flatly to the top end surfaces of the two standards 12-12. and extended outwardly therefrom are flat metal plates 24 24, and rotatably supported in each plate against vertical movement is an adjusting screw 25. These two screws extend downwardly from the plates and are threaded through brackets 2626 fixed to the outside surfaces of the sleeves 1414. Each screw has an adjusting wheel 25x at its upper end. By rotation of these adjusting screws, the spacing of thebeam may be adjusted relative to the top surface of the conveyor C as required, for panelsof different thicknesses and stapling heads of the different kinds. j,

The beam 10 and horizontal bar 20 are joined medially oftheir ends by, a spacing bracket 28 to add strength and rigidity of the structure.

- Fitted on the beam 10 for slidingadjustment in opposite directions along its opposite end portions between the end standards 12-12 and spacing bracket 28, are metal sleeves 30-30 to each of which a staplinghead is functionally secured, as has been shown in FIG. 3. Each stapling head is herein designated in its entirety by reference numeral 35. Each is here shown to be like the other in construction and the description of one and its mode of operation will apply equally to the other.

The travel adjustment of the two stapling heads 35 along the rail 10 is in unison from its outer end toward the medial support or vice versa, their travel is efiected by chain belt connections therewith shown best in FIG. 1 wherein it is seen that a pair of sprocket chain belts 40- 40' respectively, are extended along opposite end portions of the beam 10; each belt passing about sprocket wheels 41 and 42 at its outer and inner ends. These sprocket wheels are rotatably mounted by shafts 43 and 44 that extend horizontally through suitable bearings mounted in the beam 10 as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. These sprocket chains are caused to travel in unison by reason of a geared connection at their adjacent ends shown at 45 in FIGS. 2 and 8, whereby the shafts 44 which mount the sprocketv wheels 42,42 are connected. At one end of the beam 10, a hand wheel 48 is fixed on shaft 43 for rotating the corresponding sprocket wheel 41 thus to cause the two chain belts to be moved accordingly and it is further shown in; FIG. 1 that the top runs of the two chain belts are fixed, respectively, to the two stapler mounting sleeves 30-30 so that their adjustment or travel along the ,opposite end portions of the rail 10 will be in unison. As the stapler heads 35-35 are adjusted along the rail 10, actuator switches mounted thereon, as at 49 in FIG. 10, are caused to engage successively with the studs 21 and the heads are thereby caused to be moved into staple driving contact with the positioned frame and panel, as will later be further explained.

. Referring now more particularly to FIG. 4 of the drawings, whereby the air and electrical connections for control andoperation of one of the staplers 3-5 is shown, it is therein seen that operating air under pressure is suppliedto the machine through a hose connection 50 passing through a filter designated at 51 to a pressure regulator 52 and oiler 53. The single stapling head shown in this view is supported from sleeve 30 for limited up and down adjustment, as required to lift it from and to press it against the panel preparatory to stapling, by a piston rod connection with a vertical air cylinder 60 that is fixed rigidly and vertically to the corresponding sleeve 30 which mounts the stapler for travel along the rail '10; this connection being made with the lower end of the piston rod 61 which extends downwardly from the air cylinder.

Connected with the air cylinder 60 by a ,T fitting .63 is flow control check valve 65 and a pressure regulator and gauge 66. Air under pressure is supplied (from the outlet side of an oiler 53 through a conduit 67 to a solenoid valve 68 and also, through a continuing conduit 67x to a pilot valve 69 mounted on and movable with the stapler 35. I The solenoid valve has two outlets, one of which is connected by a duct 70 through the pressureregulator 66 to the upper end of air cylinder 60 and the other by a duct 72 with thelower end of the air cylinder 60. It is further observed that a duct 74 leads between the pilot valve 69 and a button bleeder 75 in the stapling head. Also a pressure line 76 leads from supply 50 to the stapler 35.

Electrical circuit lines for the solenoid valve are designated in FIG. 4, at 78 and 79, which lead to the solenoid through the switch 49. Whenever this switch 49' engages a stud 21, it is momentarily closed to effect the opening of the solenoid valve.

Assuming that a frame F with panel P tacked thereto has been advanced on the conveyor to a panel stapling position and that the operator has adjusted the two stapling heads to the outer ends of the beam 10, the stapling operation would be elfected by the operator tuming the hand wheel 48 to cause the two stapling heads 35 to be simultaneously shifted inwardly along the beam '10. As each head passes beneath a downwardly projecting stud 21, the stud engages and actuates the switch 49 to energize the solenoid valve 68 to open position thus to admit air under pressure from the supply to the upper end of air cylinder '60, to shift its piston and piston rod 61 downwardly and thereby press the shoe 35s of the stapling head 35 firmly against the panel P to be stapled. As this pressure further builds up in cylinder 60, pressure is transmitted through flow control valve 65 and its connection to the pilot valve 69, and depresses the piston in the pilot valve and opens the connection 74 to the button bleeder 75 to trip it, thus to elfect actuation of the stapler to drive the stapler under air pressure supplied through line 76. After this operation, the movable parts of the head 35 are returned to starting position. To accomplish this, the operator momentarily cuts oil the current flowing through the switch 49 to the solenoid valve 68, as explained below, permitting the valve to return to its normal closed position and this will exhaust air from cylinder 60. This disengages the stapler from the panel. The operator then, by turning hand wheel 48, advances the staplers 35 along the beam 10 for the next stapling operation, as effected by contact of the switches 49 with the next studs 21 as carried by cross-bar 20.

The opening of the electric circuits to the solenoid valves 68 may be accomplished by the action of a switch of any suitable kind, such as a diaphragm or time delay switch, interposed in the circuit or manually by a push button switch as designated at 80 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

, After the stapling heads 3535 have been advanced progressively to the inward limit of travel along beam 10, as eifected by the hand wheel 48 and chain belts 40-40, the operator can likewise effect the stapling of the panel to the next stud by causing the heads to travel, in the outward direction along the beam 10. Stapling operations, are at all times under control of the operator from his position adjacent hand wheel 48.

Stapling operations as above explained may likewise be accomplished by use of the alternative type of stapling head, with air and electrical connections made as shown in FIG. 5, wherein like reference numerals have been applied to all like parts. Air under pressure is here also supplied from hose 50 through filter 51, regulator 52 and oiler 53 to airline 67 leading to the solenoid valve 68 under control of switch 49 as in FIG. 4. Also, an air line 70 leads from the solenoid valve through regulator 66 and a T- fitting 63 to the upper end of air cylinder 60 which isconnected by its piston rod 62 with the stapling head 35 and an air line leads from fitting 63, to the upper end of air cylinder 60 which is connected by its piston rod 61 with the stapling head 35 and an airline leads from the fitting 63, through flow control check valve 65 and line 74 to pilot valve 69. Also, in this latter arrangement,

an airline 72 leads from the solenoid valve to the lower" end of air cylinder 60 and an airline 68x leads from line 67 to the pilot valve 69.

Mechanisms of the above character are economical in use, and make possible the rapid and secure stapling of panels to frames. Thespacing of staples along the studs will be in accordance with the spacing of the switch actuating studs as applied to the cross-bar 20.

What I claim as new is:

A stapling machine of the character described comprising a horizontal cross beam mounted in fixed position, work supporting means below said cross-beam, a pair of air actuated staple driving machines mounted for movement in opposite directions along said cross-beam, means mounted on the cross-beam for intermittently advancing said machines in unison along said cross-beam, a source of operating air for the machines connected thereto through a normally closed solenoid valve, an electric circuit for the valve, normally open qontrol switches for said circuit, said switches being mounted on and movable 10 with the machines along the cross-beam, a cross-bar supported above and extending along the cross-beam, and a plurality of switch actuators fixed no the cross-bar and each actuator being progressively engageable with the corresponding switch on the machines to momentarily 15 close the respective switch as the machine is advanced whereby the solenoid valve is opened for actuation of the corresponding machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,488,563 Stappler Apr. 1, 1924 1,667,777 Goddu May 1, 1928 2,765,468 Cootes Oct. 9, 1956 2777,126 Muller Jan. 15, 1957 2,780,813 Tritt Feb. 12, 1957 2,814,803 Northup Dec. 3, 1957 2,907,038 Shearer Oct. 6, 1959 

